The 30th Annual Cabin Festival date is June 6th, 2015
We hope to see you there.

The 29th Annual Cabin
Festival was held June 7, 2014
at the Cragg Cabin this year.

Below are the re-enactors who
were our guests on theCragg Cabin grounds. On
this Saturday, the re-enactors visited with over 200 guests for 5 hours,
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Festival adventure began in the Visitor's
Center.

The food tent located next to the butterfly barn,
sold buffalo burgers, hamburgers, brats or hot dogs. The gift shop was
near the Cragg Cabin. A Prairie plant sale was available and many of
our visitors purchased tickets for the Prairie Partner
Floral Garden full size quilt.

Jenny Rohr, Violinist, presented a
program she titled "Fiddlin' With The Violin: Fun Facts &
Fiction." This fun educational program entertained and taught
all ages the joys of good ol' hoedowns and more!

The Cragg Cabin docent Gayle Crompton was
on hand to answer questions about cabin living and the former
occupants of the Cragg Cabin.She was spelled by Susie
Johnson.

The Soap Maker, Judi Jacksohn stirred up
a new batch of homemade soap.

"Ole Fashioned Quilting Bee" presented by
the Log Cabin Quilters Guild
was in the lobby of the Visitor's Center. Visitors were invited
to add a stitch or two.

The Strolling Violinist, Brandon Slatton
played many different fiddle songs as guests visited the
crafters. He showed kids and adults the violin and answered
many questions.

American Indian Traveling Museum curator
Louis Aiello had many hands-on exhibits and spent much time
talking with our guests.

The Tanner Beverly Mansfield, with the
aid of her samples, explained the process of "brain tanning."

The Spinner Kathy Tovey demonstrated wool
combing and spinning. She was accompanied by her Jacob Spring
Lamb.

Bobbin Lacer Donna Fousek was lacing on a
beautiful butterfly and displayed samples.

The wagon circled the pond throughout the day
carrying guest back and forth with Lon Lovellette as the
Wagon Master.

Tatter Susie Johnson demonstrated the
fine art of tatting with a shuttle and displayed samples.

Fundraiser Chair & Host Chuck Johnson was
at the Visitor's Center Desk - The lovely Floral Garden full
size quilt is still on display.

Knitter Jo Fleming demonstrated knitting
and had samples on display.

The Cooper Arnie Bandstra worked on a
bucket and talked to visitors as he did so, explaining the tools
of the trade.

The Weaver Ginnie Stevens wove a rag rug
of denim this day. Many visitors asked questions about the loom
and the process. She was working on the park loom.

Children's Games 'N Toys - Becky Sipple &
Brenda Soreng assisted many children and adults with games of
the past, including Graces, Jacobs Ladder, Buzz Saw and
Checkers.

Liam Soreng and Joey Sipple
appeared in period clothes.

Prairie Partner Gift shop was available
on the Cabin lawn with shopkeeper Norma Hedges, and assistants
Jan Lindstrand, and Char McDade.

Prairie Partner Food Shop was available
in the back yard of the visitor's center with
shopkeeper, Jackie Martin, assisted by Jan Alexander,
Kristin Wiekert, Debbie Mahler, Audrey Kaluzny, and Audrey
Kaluzny.

It was a beautiful day for a festival. Many visitors came, asked
questions and played our games. Everyone stopped for a lunch in
our food tent. We were pleased with the size of the attendance .
Visitors enjoyed the festival as well as acquainted themselves
with the many treasures hidden at Goose Lake Prairie State
Natural Area.

We hope they come again, now that they have found us.

Chairmen for this event were Bev
Mansfield, Tom Kaluzny and Susie Johnson. John Martin, Lois
Brandt, Chuck Johnson and staff members - Joe, Jeff, Eric, Erik,
Ed, & Gary - all assisted with set up and tear down.

Tanner Mansfield will be returned again next year as
well as Lou Aiello and his Traveling American Indian Exhibit.

Cabin Festival
is sponsored by the Goose Lake
Prairie Partners and
the GLPSNA Staff.

Re-enactment may include

American Indian Life & Culture
Cooper
Campfire Cooking
Soap Making
Candle Making
Tanning, Farming
Plant Study
Old fashion Games
Wood working
Wood Carvers
Fiddling
Knitting, Crochet
Lace Making, Quilting
Weaving, Spinning
Basket Making
Clothes Discussions
Culture in 1830
Cabin Life & Area History

The Origin of the Cabin Festival at GLPSNA

In February of 1985, a new Prairie Partner asked about the Cabin and
it's uses. She was told that it was used once in the fall for a
program called "Incredible Edibles," and a warming place for
cross-country skiers in winter. Vince Matthews, the interpreter at
the time, asked what the person had in mind.

It was at that time that Cabin Festival began, patterned after the
"Settlement" in Lockport, (run by the Will Co. Historical Society).
The new member knew several of the crafters in Lockport and asked
them to come to Goose Lake Park and bring their crafts, making and
doing things that the pioneers would need to do to survive.

The cabin (knows as the Cragg Cabin) had only two benches, a table
and a chair that was donated. Pioneer Cabin Festival was bore.

The date chosen was September Prairie week and also combined
"Incredible Edibles." This was what we would call "weeds," but the
pioneers found several things such as dandelion leaves and some
roots to use in the spring. They picked wild berries as the summer
progressed and made jams and sauces. The partners demonstrated the
use of the "weeds" and served jams and jellies on crackers for the
'guests' to sample.

Eventually, because of weather and lack of crafters in the fall, the
Pioneer Cabin Festival was moved to spring. Crafters were not so
overwhelmed with too many festivals at that time.

(Reference: Jo Fleming, Morris, IL)

We
are constantly looking for period
re-enactors to help us with this event.
Crafts that pioneers would most likely do in the 1800s is our emphasis.
If you would like more information about our festival please call
815-942-2899.

Updated June 9, 2014.

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